Microsoft announced that "Candy Crush Saga," the popular mobile game from developer King, will come as a pre-installed feature in the upcoming Windows 10 OS.
The puzzle game will join other Windows-based mini titles such as "Hearts," "Solitaire" and "Minesweeper."
According to Microsoft, "Candy Crush Saga" will be automatically available to users who download or upgrade the latest version of the Windows OS "for periods of time following the game launch," Xbox Wire reported.
The company, however, did not specify when the Windows 10 version of the game will be launched.
Also, the PC version of the "Candy Crush Saga" will feature cross-play support for Android and iOS mobile devices.
Aside from "Candy Crush," King noted that its other mobile titles will also be ported for the Windows 10.
News about the inclusion of the mobile game in the Windows 10 came almost immediately after King reported that its shares from "Candy Crush" dropped by 14 percent. According to the company, its first quarter earnings from the game were actually lower than what was expected.
King cited the declining popularity of the game and the users' interest in more mature-natured titles as the primary reasons behind the drop in earnings.
Ars Technica speculated that by including "Candy Crush Saga" in the Windows 10 OS, King is hoping to reach a wider audience and get more people to play its addictive puzzle game.
As for the updated version of the OS, Microsoft has not yet announced a specific release date for the Windows 10. However, the company is hoping to release it sometime this summer. It will arrive first for the PC before hitting Xbox consoles, Game Spot reported.
Microsoft executive Terry Myerson explained that the Windows 10 free download will only be available for those who own an authentic Windows OS.
"While our free offer to upgrade to Windows 10 will not apply to non-genuine Windows devices, as we've always done, we will continue to offer Windows 10 to customers running devices in a non-genuine state," he stated in a blog post.
